diff --git a/src/video/x11/SDL_x11modes.c b/src/video/x11/SDL_x11modes.c
index 312107a3c..e3f8497fc 100644
--- a/src/video/x11/SDL_x11modes.c
+++ b/src/video/x11/SDL_x11modes.c
@@ -1070,7 +1070,7 @@ X11_GetDisplayDPI(_THIS, SDL_VideoDisplay * sdl_display, float * ddpi, float * h
         *vdpi = data->vdpi;
     }
 
-    return data->ddpi != 0.0f ? 0 : -1;
+    return data->ddpi != 0.0f ? 0 : SDL_SetError("Couldn't get DPI");
 }
 
 int